Drivers who took mobile phone pictures of M1 crash scene in Northamptonshire prosecuted in court

Callum Jones

A total of 23 drivers have admitted using their mobile phones, including some that were filming and taking pictures of the scene, near a serious crash on the M1 in Northamptonshire,

All the motorists were prosecuted after they were spotted by Northamptonshire Police officers who were dealing with a collision between four cars and a lorry that closed the northbound carriageway between junction 15 and 15a for five hours on August 22 last year.

One of the passengers in one of the cars involved in the crash was a four-year-old girl who suffered serious head injuries Northampton Magistrates’ Court heard yesterday that 23 motorists, who were all men, were subsequently arrested for using their phones near the crash scene.

Their cases were all heard yesterday after they were charged with not being in a position to have proper control of their vehicle because they were “holding a phone in one hand and pointing it in the direction of the collision.”

A number of the men claimed they were not taking photographs of the crash but were using their phone for other reasons such as searching the internet or using sat nav.

However, Patrick Mulford, aged 28, of Rushden, admitted that he had been taking photographs and said he was “utterly embarrassed” and disappointed with his actions. He received three points on his licence and must pay £90 fine, £85 costs and victim surcharge of £20.

Gabor Pluhar, aged 25, of Baron’s Court Road, Hammersmith and Fulham, also admitted that he had taken pictures and he said he was “ashamed and embarrassed”. He also received three penalty points and must pay a fine of £115, £85 costs and victim surcharge of £20.

Ravindran Soosaipillai, aged 47, of Caulfield Road, London, admitted that he had taken a video of the scene on his phone. He was given a £50 fine and must pay costs of £85 and victim surcharge of £20.

-Robert Stables, aged 38, of Willow Crescent, Nottingham, was disqualified from driving for seven weeks as the three penalty points meant he had 12 on his licence. He was also fined £290 and must pay costs of £85 and victim surcharge of £29.

All the drivers who pleaded guilty received three penalty points on their licence, at Northampton Magistrates’ Court on Friday

Other people prosecuted included Shalim Ahmed, aged 35, of Uckfield Close, Brighton and Paul Austin, aged 51, of High Street, Hitchin. They both received fines of £185, costs of £85 and victim surcharge of £20.

-Laurs Aivars, of Cheshire street, Market Drayton, was fined £155 and must pay costs of £85 and victim surcharge of £20.

-Ionut Danes, aged 34, of Shaftesbury Avenue, Harrow, was fined £135 and must pay costs of £85 and victim surcharge of £20.